New census data out today show that more Americans are burdened by a broken health care system and beleaguered economy than ever before. According to the report, 50.7 million Americans were living without health insurance last year -- a dramatic increase from the 46.3 million uninsured estimated in 2008.
That means one out of every three non-elderly Americans didn't have insurance. Our health care system has been failing the public for far too long. We can and we must do better.
Having access to quality, affordable health care should be a basic right not a privilege in this country, yet the bleak data paint a different picture. Given the economic downturn and anemic job market, even more Americans could face the desperate plight of losing their insurance down the road.
Evidence shows that a lack of insurance can result in worse health outcomes and is too often a death sentence in this country. A study published in the American Journal of Public Health last year reveals that 45,000 deaths are attributable every year to a lack of health insurance.
The good news is that the new health reform law holds great promise for the U.S. public and, if implemented properly, could significantly turn the tide on this grim state of affairs.
The new law will guarantee millions of Americans access to quality, affordable care regardless of health status, decrease incidence and mortality rates of the nation's leading chronic diseases, control soaring health spending and strengthen public health infrastructure.
In fact, several provisions will kick in on Sept. 23, the six-month anniversary of the enactment of the Affordable Care Act. Effective next Thursday, all health plans must allow young adults to remain on their parents' plans until age 26. Additionally, a ban on lifetime benefit limits as well as on excluding coverage to young people due to a pre-existing condition will take effect.
Just six months ago, our nation made a unified commitment to transform a once 'sick care' system to one focused on disease prevention and wellness.
We have made tremendous progress since enacting this live-saving law and countless Americans are already reaping -- and more will soon reap -- the benefits of reform. But there are formidable challenges that lay ahead -- not only to interpret and implement the law but also to block efforts to repeal or de-fund it.
Today's record breaking number of uninsured reminds us why health reform has been a top national priority. We cannot turn our backs on the millions of Americans who are falling through the cracks of a broken health system. Nor can we afford not to control skyrocketing health costs. The Affordable Care Act presents us with perhaps our only true chance to improve the nation's health to a degree that has never been achieved before, and we must work hard to ensure that it reaches its full potential.